Astros report: Harrell eager to see action

Lucas Harrell will get the call when the Astros face Stephen Strasburg and the Nationals this evening. (Karen Warren/Houston Chronicle)

Astros righthander Lucas Harrell, who skipped his previous scheduled start because of a right groin injury, is ready to get back on the mound Saturday night when the Astros visit the Washington Nationals.

“It’s great because my leg feels great and my body feels great,” he said. “We were just cautious. It wasn’t anything that we thought there was something serious.

“It’s just something that was small and we wanted to make sure that I was right before we broke camp.”

Although most of the starters are building toward throwing 75 pitches and four or five innings per outing, Harrell isn’t scheduled for any specific goal.

“He’s kind of set back a little bit,” manager Bo Porter said. “We’re going to just basically take it inning by inning and see what his pitch count is and then make a decision as the game presents itself.

“He’s had some good side sessions, but at the same time he missed a turn, but we will lean on the side of being careful.”

Correa pleased with assignment

Shortstop Carlos Correa, the first overall pick in the 2012 draft, drilled a home run on the first pitch he saw in a Class A game Friday against the Nationals’ Class A affiliate. Saturday night, he’ll face the big league club.

“Thank God they invited me to my first game with the big league team,” he said. “I’ll prepare for that. I felt happy. To me, it’s a pleasure to be able to be there. That’s where you want to be playing, and it’s a blessing to have been invited.”

Added manager Bo Porter: “I haven’t been able to see much of (Correa). That’s part of the reason we’re going to bring him over on Saturday. I did have an opportunity to see him in a simulated game. But simulated games are a lot different than a live game. This will be the first opportunity that I will have to take a look at him in a live game.”

Prospects set for road trip

First baseman Jonathan Singleton, 21, and outfielder Domingo Santana, 20, are the other top prospects who will make the trip with the club to Viera to face the Washington Nationals.

“We’re going to give some of our regular guys a day,” manager Bo Porter said. “Singleton, (Carlos) Correa and Santana will come over. They’ll travel. We’ll also have a couple of pitchers that will travel as well.”

Bedard recovers from strain

Lefthander Erik Bedard, who pitched an inning Wednesday in his first outing since Feb. 26, is scheduled to throw an inning of relief Sunday.

Bedard appears to have overcome the gluteal strain that kept him out for two weeks.

Photo: Jeff Roberson / Associated Press

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March 27: Mets 6, Astros 2

Astros starting pitcher Edgar Gonzalez throws during the first inning.

March 27: Mets 6, Astros 2

Astros starting pitcher Edgar Gonzalez throws during the first inning.

Photo: Jeff Roberson / Associated Press

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Ruben Tejada breaks his bat grounding out during the fourth inning.

Ruben Tejada breaks his bat grounding out during the fourth inning.

Photo: Jeff Roberson / Associated Press

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Carlos Correa, right, steals second as the throw gets away from Mets second baseman Jordany Valdespin during the first inning.

Carlos Correa, right, steals second as the throw gets away from Mets second baseman Jordany Valdespin during the first inning.

Photo: Jeff Roberson / Associated Press

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Astros third baseman Matt Dominguez throws to first during the second inning.

Astros third baseman Matt Dominguez throws to first during the second inning.

Photo: Jeff Roberson / Associated Press

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A throw home from Astros shortstop Carlos Correa gets past catcher Jason Jaramillo, allowing John Buck to score during the sixth inning.

A throw home from Astros shortstop Carlos Correa gets past catcher Jason Jaramillo, allowing John Buck to score during the sixth inning.

Photo: Jeff Roberson / Associated Press

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Astros starting pitcher Edgar Gonzalez picks up a slow roller hit by Kirk Nieuwenhuis during the second inning.

Astros starting pitcher Edgar Gonzalez picks up a slow roller hit by Kirk Nieuwenhuis during the second inning.

Photo: Jeff Roberson / Associated Press

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Jordany Valdespin, right, gets back to first as Astros first baseman Jonathan Singleton handles the throw.

Jordany Valdespin, right, gets back to first as Astros first baseman Jonathan Singleton handles the throw.